Rawlings-Blake was attending the Mondawmin Festival, a community event that promised "free food, art, basketball, obstacle course, and over 60 non-profit and agency booths offering resources direct to residents," according to the events listing on the City of Baltimore's web page.

In April, people took to the streets in Baltimore to protest the death of Freddie Gray in police custody. On April 27, the protests grew violent in the neighborhood near Mondawmin Mall.